The Georgian Foreign Ministry has condemned the second round of so-called presidential elections in Georgia;’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali regions and reiterated that the race has no legal grounds. 

“Such illegal actions violate the fundamental principles and norms of international law and grossly violate Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” the Foreign Ministry said on Monday. 

The ministry stated that in the context of Russian occupation and effective control over the region, no election would have any legal force.

“The possibility of a safe and dignified return of Georgian IDPs and the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people living on the ground are grossly violated,” the ministry noted. 

The ministry stressed  that "Russia's effective control over the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali and its responsibility for human rights violations “is clearly confirmed by the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights back on January 21, 2021."

The ministry called on Russia to respect Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to fulfill its international obligations, including the EU-brokered ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008 which obliges Russia to withdraw its troops from the Georgian territory, 

It also called on the international community to “properly assess and rto give a due reaction to another illegal action against Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.” 

Opposition candidate Alan Gagloev has won the so-called elections in the second round on the weekend, defeating incumbent Anatoly Bibilov.